Why is my kid scared of the hairdresser?

Every parent is terrified of the first haircut for their child. Parents dread the thought of a stranger touching their baby’s hair and they have good reason to be scared. Children are naturally curious and afraid of new things. When it comes to haircuts, children are likely to have some fears due to the unknown nature of an adult and perhaps the idea that something could happen to their hair. They may also have anxiety about being left alone in a room with strangers or having someone touch them without permission. Many kids also react negatively to loud noises or smells at hairdressers. While there is nothing you can do about your child’s fear, there are some things you should know about what’s causing your child’s anxieties at the hairdresser’s chair so that you can take steps toward helping them deal with it.

Who is most likely to get scared of the hairdresser?

There are a few different personality types that might find the hairdresser scary. Children who have an emotional reactivity, children with social anxiety, children who are experiencing separation anxiety, and children with general anxiety disorder may be more likely to get scared in the hairdresser’s chair. People who have had difficult relationships with their parents or have been bullied could also be affected by these negative feelings. It is important to take your child’s reactions into account so you can help them deal with it. If your child is scared of the hairdresser, there are some ways you can help them overcome this fear. It starts by talking about what causes your child to feel scared about going to the hairdresser’s salon. You may want to tell stories of previous experiences such as when they were young and not able to go out on their own or when they had a tough haircut that went wrong because it was too short or too long. This will give children an understanding of what causes them to feel anxious at the shop and hopefully make them less afraid in the future.

Understand your child’s fears

Learning what’s causing your children’s fear of the hairdresser will help you determine how to best approach them about their anxiety. If the reason for their fear is that they are scared of being left alone, then you can try helping them feel more secure with a parent or other caregiver in the room. If the cause is loud noises and smells, then they may benefit from using a headphone or hearing protection during the haircut. You should also make sure that they have access to water and a place to sit down before, during, and after their haircut. If your child wakes up in night terrors during haircuts, you can try distracting them by playing games or telling stories (not scary ones). You should also consider leaving an object like a balloon on the chair for when your child gets anxious so that he/she has something familiar to focus on instead of feeling frightened by new sights and sounds.

Help them overcome their anxieties

Start by finding activities that your child enjoys and are familiar with. Make them feel safe by giving them a familiar activity. This might be something like taking a walk together, playing board games, or reading stories. Additionally, show your child the hairdresser. Even if they don’t want to go to the salon themselves, they will feel more comfortable knowing they have seen the person who is touching their hair before. You should also find ways to make going to the salon more fun for your child. If your son hates loud noises, try playing some music or white noise at the salon so he can listen and find comfort in it. Playing music also helps distract kids from having anxiety about being left alone in a room with strangers and listening to loud sounds. By helping your child overcome their fears beforehand and through your actions during the process of getting their haircut, you can help them build confidence in this new experience and gain greater mastery over it as time goes on.

Celebrate their bravery

When your child goes to the hairdresser, it’s a big moment for them. It’s scary, but exciting too. Make sure that you celebrate their bravery by praising their courage and helping them feel like they can do anything. Sometimes kids will be brave at home, but not so much at the hairdressers. If your child has a little confidence boost after going to the hairdresser and feeling brave about it, you will have done something good for them

Stay calm and focused on safety

The first step you can take to help your child feel better is to stay calm yourself. Take a few deep breaths and focus on safety. Ask yourself how you would feel if the situation was reversed, and imagine what your child might be feeling in the same situation. You can also ask for reassurance from the hairdresser that they are experienced and know what they’re doing.

Tips for while you’re at the salon

First, make sure you’re in a comfortable environment. A lot of kids do better in a distraction-free space. The salon should be calm and quiet, so if that’s not the case, try to change it. Second, have your child sit on your lap while you’re sitting in the waiting area so they feel more secure and safe. This will help them feel like they have control over their body and can let go of their anxiety. Third, don’t be too focused on the haircut itself. Focus more on what you can do with your child during their time at the salon. For example, play games or watch a movie together while they get their hair done.